Sectional fole



F. LANE SECTI'ONAL POLE Feb. 12, 1929 Filed Oct. 17 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

56am Lane ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1929.

F. LANE SECTIONAL POLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1'7, 1927 r 140/ Z A INVENTOR. 17m 22k L azze ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

UNITED STA FRANK LANE, F MANSFIELD, OHIO.

SEGTIOINAL POLE.

Application filed October 17, 1937. Serial No. 226,830.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a sectional pole. More particularly it comprises a pole havin :1 base section with special moons for anchoring the some in the earth and it phu'elity olf elevated sections teleseog'iiezrllv engaged with each other and pref- :lv o'l pol ye oi'ml cross section, or with verfins. and serving the various purposes for which a pole is :ulnpted, such as support ing electric wires and various other objects. The invention also contemplates the provision of cross n'ienibers for supporting wires.

It is at present the general practice of manufacturing poles of iron or similar metal to have them full length and to set the same in the earth by preparing a hole of adequate size to receive the enlarged lower end of the pole and imbed the same in concrete or a. like material. A sectionnl pole has obvious advantages in the matter of easy transportation and handling and the improved base herein provided permits the erection of poles at much less expense than the type of pole heretofore described end with equal or greater security of attachment in the earth. Accordingly the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved pole structure including' an anchorage therefor and, one which will permit the easv attachment of supporting members thereto by means of external riveting. Another object of the invention to provide a We for supporting it pole whirl] muv be readily attached and securely driven into the earth and at the same time be inexpensive in cost and simple of manufacture. Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description. To the accomplishment of the hiregoing and related ends. said invention. then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Tho annexed drawing and the following description forth in detail certain struclllltS embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however. but one of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may he used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a pole formed in four sections showing one form of base for supporting thesmne Fig. .l is an enlarged perspective view of one form of base construct-ion; Fig. 3 a fragmentary view showing the details of the telescopic portion of the pole; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the base with the pole shown in section; Fig. 5 is a secthiinal view of two sections at their point of interengagement, taken along the line 5-5 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a. side,

elevation o'l a pole showing a plurality of cross bars secured thereto; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing cross bars connected to :1. ho along one of the post sections; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of one of the pole sections taken along the line 8 8 as shown in Fig. i; Fig. 9 is a central vertical sectional view showing the method of connecting the lower sleeve to the base; Fi 10 is a ventical sectional view taken from t e top portion of the pole; Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the means of attaching one of the securing standards to the base section as taken along the line 1l11 shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 12. is a fragmentary view ofa base plate provided with a r shaped slot adjacent its margin to receive an anchored standard Of T cross-Section; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the nnehorinq standardsfor enge ing a base portion of the type illustrated in "lg. 12; and Fig. 14 it sectional View, showing the moth or! of attaching and anchoringstandard to a base of the types shown respectively in Figs. 13 and i i As is clearly shown in, the drawing, the structure con' prises the pole 1, being formed of a plurality of polygonal sections 2, 3, 5. said sections telescopic-silly engaging with each other and the lower section. being seated over a base section 6 having an upstanding flange 7 of cross section similar to that of the pole sections.

The base section is anchored to the earth by means of a plurality of standards or bars 8 which may be secured to the base of, the base section by means of rivets 9 or other fastening elements. The bars as shown are of standard T iron. and the lower edges 11 thereof may he cut away so as to form the some in substantially epoint. The upper portion of the T iron is secured to they horizontal member of the base by means ofl'ivets or other fastening elements as stated... The anchoring members for the base are preferably three in number and are positioned beneath the base at points directly adjacent up standing the corners ofthebody portion of the pole.

As will be clearly seen from the drawing, the body portion of the pole is preferably formed of triangular cross-section, the sides 12, of such crosssection being of equal length. Said sides are provided with longitudinal fins 13 or ribs preferably located centrally of each side and adapted to reenforce the adjacent structure. The base member, as has been indicated, comprises a top plate 6 of heavy netal upon the upper face of which there is provided an upstanding flange 7 having a crosssection corresponding to the cross-section of the pole above described. The upper sections of the pole as stated are adapted to be telescopically engaged with each other. The uppermost section is provided with a cap 14 in outline similar to the cross-section of the pole and adapted to engage thcreover to mal ce the same water tight.

In the pole illustrated, which is of approximately a length of 40 feet, there are four sec tions of approximately ten feet each. In a pole of this description, the upper section may be approximately six inches in diameter, the lower end adapted to telescopically engage over the succeeding section which will be eight inches in diameter at the top, and the following section ten inches in diameter at the top, and the lower section twelve inches in diameter at the top, each section engaging its adjacent section as described.

The base member which, as has been stated, may be a casting, forging or the like,and in the form illustrated may be approximately fourteen inches in diameter, and adapted to be telescopically engaged by the lower section of the pole. The anchoring members 8 for the base section at the three spaced points opposite the apexes of the triangle, will be preferably of a length of six feet to eight feet, depending on ground conditions, and positioned adjacent the edge of the base plate but set within the outer circumference of the same. The base plate in any event should be of such size as to provide proper anchorage, depending on the quality of ground. into which it is set.

Cross arms 15 may be secured to the pole adjacent the upper end by attaching the same by means of bolts or rivets 16, to one of the exterior tins. The cross arm may comprise an angle iron 17 having a section 18 at right angles and supported by a brace 19 of strip metal bent at its ends to conform to the cross arm and fin respectively.

The preferred cross-section of the pole is, as has been indicated, with a body outline that of an equilateral triangle with a vertical fin positioned centrally of each side. The pole is preferably made of sheet metal, the line beii'ig struck up from the respective sheets at the proper points and lines for bending the sheet at the corners being impressed upon the sheet. 'lhrough well known operations, the bending process is completed, tl e fins being crimpcd closely together adjacent the upper portions and the lower ends of the fins being permitted to remain open to an extent sufficient to engage over the tins of the upper end of the next adjacent section. The free edges of the sheet metal are placed parallel to each other and welded, preferably electrically, over the greater portion of their extent, leaving adja cent the lower edge portion to be QliJliltlQtl to a distance sutlicient to engage over the corresponding fin on the next adjacent section. Bolt holes are preferably formed through overlapping lin portions of the adjacent sections, in the form illustrated, two bolt holes being provided to connect the two upper sections together and three bolt holes throu h each of the sections to connect the two in media to sections and four bolt holes being l a the base of the structure to cone upstanding flange on the base. sizes and configuration of the telescopic parts are such that they will frictionally interen to maintain the pole sections in true axial alignment and will resist all strains tending to disengage said as ions or force the same out of ali nment with each other. The pole sections, it has been found, when telescopically engaged will set up an amount of friction sufficient to resist great force tending to misalign the sections or separate the same from each other. Furthermore the specific cross-section of pole illustrated tones to rcstrict or localize the eilect of an impact, and minimize the loss of rigidity which might otherwise affect the entire pole structure.

Yfhile the body of triangular section is the preferred form of post, it is not intended to limit the broader claims to the form indicated inasmuch as poles of other sections may be found suitable for other purposes. The triangular cross-section or body provides for an extremely rigid structure and the longitudinal fin positioned centrally of each side face prevents buckling of the side faces as well as provit es anchoring members to hold the adjacent parts in rigid alignment.

it will be noted that the vertical fins are themselves an important feature of the struc ture inasnnich as they not only reenforcc the sides but also provide means for anchoring fastening elements to the pole without in any way weakening the structure of the body of the pole. Thus the central or body portion of the pole is not perforated throughout its length whereas the fins may be p ovided with rivets or bolts at the overlapping portion of the several sections or at other points where they may se as means for attaching the various supporting fixtures to the structure.

In the form of coi'istruction shown in l 12, 13 and i l, the base nien'iber in place of having attached anchoring standards intended to be driven siinultancously into the ground, is provided with a flat base plate 21 having a 'l'thaped slot 22 formed therethrough opposite each corner of the body portion of the pole. The slots are of a size till just adequate to receive the Slltfllllllg members which as was stated are formed of stzuidard T-hurc The T bars are cut away adjacent their lower portionso as to form a point and arc engaged through the T-shaped slots in the base plate. They are then separately driven into the earth and when the upper portion 2i which has been bent at right angles to the body engage against the top surface of the base plate, the base will be firmly secured in position. Bolts or rivets may be used to secure said parts in final position as shown in l; Ll. Should it be desired to set the base in concrete, this may be also arranged for after the securing members are dri You into place.

il here a base of the form originally illus tinted used, the method of setting the same compris s the simultaneous driving of the three supporting members into the earth, as a single operation. This may be accomplished by means of a special type of pile driver which will properly align the base and force the standards at a uniform rate directly into the earth at the point desired. Fihould it be necessary to set the pole in rock formation, in place of drilling a hole adequate to receive a large base of an integral pole, all that is necessary is that three small holes be drilled for the supporting members and that the same b-i securely anchored in such holes by means of cement or other fastelling means. This operation is much less expensi va 'han the providing of one large hole as is the usual practice.

After the base of the pole is in position, the bottom section may be secured thereto by telescopically engaging the same thereover and thereafter scouring the fastening bolts through the tin at one side thereof. The next section is then put into position and the bolts adjacent the welded fin are again secured before attaching the next telescopic section of posts. The operation is then repeated un til the post has reached the desired height and the cap member placed on the top. llolts or rivets may also be 1 cured through the foli r this as distinguished from the Welded should the conditions of use re quire especial reinforcement. Likewise the size and number of tins may be varied. If desired the sections of the pole may be all joined together and the combined pole erected as a unit and seated on the previously pre pared base.

"Whenever it desirable that cross arms or other fixtures be attached to the pole, they may be readily placed in position at any time. As has been stated, this may be accomplished hy rive ing or bolting such fixtures to any one of the projecting tins centrally of each side face of the body portion of the pole. Guy wires may be fastened in a similar manner through the use of suitable clips or terminals.

The base member may be tormedas a cast" mg, or it may be formed of plates ofeheet metal with the parts suitably welded and shaped, o r it may be formed in various other wavs. The several sections of the body of the post are referably fiiirnied of sheet metal bent to the special configuration shown in the drawing wherein the main body portion of he post of triangular cross section with integral tins folded intoeach of the two sides thereof. the third tin 27 being formed by the edges of the sheet which "are folded, parallel to each other and welded the greater portion of their length as is shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The cap member may comprise a sheet of l'i'ltltll suitably flanged +0113 to engage from the top sect ion of the post to an extent sufficient to prevent accidental detachment thereof.

The angle of engagement of the. several sections of the post is such that a high degree of frictional resistance is set up and extent of overlapping engagement is proportioned to the cross section of the post so that the lower sections have a larger overlapping portion than the upper portions. As stated, fastening bolts may be used in aligned apertures formed through each of the tins of the sevoral sections or such bolts may be used only in the tin which has a portion welded. The engagement to the several parts, however, has been found to be so firm that in certain instances it may be found unnecessary to apply fastening means of any character through the fins after the sections of the body are firmly engaged with each other through suitable pressure. In addition to the functions served by the fins in a purely structural sense, it should be noted that they also provide special means by which workmen may readily ascend the pole through the use of cleats attached to their shoes which will clamp or interlock with the adjacent tins. ithoutcleals or similar devices, it would be practically ill'lIJOSSilJlG to climb the pole. Thus the structure has the inherent advantage.- of being a safety pole as only those suitably equipped may ascend the same and children or irresponsible parties will be unable to interfere with structures supported on said poles or be injured through contact with high tension wires or otherwise, as is not infrequently the case in connection with pole structures now in general use.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A pole formed of interconnected sections, each section being of polygonal cross section and being formed of sheet metal shaped to provide upwardly tapered substantially flatsides, each side having a reenliorcing inenlber spaced from the edges and er; tending longitudinally thereof from end to end.

2. A pole formed of telescopic sections, each section being of polygonal cross section and being formed of sheet metal shaped to provide upwardly tapered fiat sides each side having a two ply reenforcing rib provided centrally thereof from end to end.

3. A pole made up of telescopic sections each section being oil polygonal cross section and having its sides related to each other at acute angles and being formed of sheet metal to provide upwardly tapered fiat surfaces and having reentorcing ribs provided centrally of the sides thereof.

4. A pole construction having a body adapted to be formed of interconnected sections of sheet metal, each section being formed of sheet metal, pressed to a polygonal form, With the metal distributed syn'in'ietri- Cally around the perpendicular axis of the pole construction, and having aligned ribs strengthening the substantially flat sides oi the polygonal structure.

A base section for a pole formed with a plurality oi ground-engaging elements each presenting a plurality o't angular faces "for anchorage purposes and hai'ng' at its upper end a polygonal section with longitudinally extending ribs adapted to he engaged by con'ipleinentary elements on the adjacent pole structure.

Signed by 1110 this 13th day of October, 1927.

FRANK LANE. 

